Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Update on Max

We have had some issues with his surgery. Excessive movement, as well as the Collie’s inherently obsessive behavior, has led to the incision site opening up. We had to add some strength holding sutures, which are placed further out from the incision to help hold it together. We augmented these stitches with small pieces of tubing to help keep them in place.

We also had to add a drain, which is a length of flexible flaccid plastic tubing which allows built up fluids to escape.

Lastly, he’s been condemned to the dreaded “cone of shame,” which I always hate using. Dogs do hate them, for multiple reasons. Besides making it difficult to get around, it also makes everything incredibly loud. Try putting one on yourself- it’s an excellent amplifier.

Most importantly, and unfortunately, Max’s histopathology results showed that some cancer remains, even after such a dramatic surgery. He will be consulting with a veterinary oncologist in the next few weeks to discuss other treatments.

I don’t treat fur-less two-leggers such as yourself, but I think having two different tumors directly next to one another is relatively rare. Also, Max’s lipoma wasn’t acting like a regular lipoma, which is why we first took him to surgery. Nonetheless, when in doubt, talk to your own physician. He or she knows more about your species.

About Me

I am a veterinarian, and the owner of Lake Seminole Animal Hospital in Seminole, FL. I write a regular pet column for the Tampa Bay Weekly Newspapers, as well as appear regularly on Studio 10 on WTSP, and the “hOURtampabay” radio show on local CBS stations WSJT, WRBQ, WQYK AM & FM, and WLLD. I also consult with news programs, as News Channel 10 and Bay News 9 about pet related matters.
I've had numerous pets, and currently share my home with a rescued black collie named Max, Bella the Boston Terrier, Gabby the cat, and Coconut, a deaf white boxer puppy.